Bioarchaeological Approaches to the Study of Adolescence

ABSTRACT Adolescence is a key phase of the life course in modern western society, yet the study of adolescence in past populations has only recently developed. In this paper, we explore patterns of biological and social changes during adolescence, some of the challenges associated with this type of research, and how bioarchaeologists can explore this transitional period of life using macroscopic and biochemical approaches. We also examine why investigations of adolescence have been limited thus far, and how we may move forward to integrate studies of adolescence with the study of childhood, and life, in the past.